Roots and Mission
Daryl Wong Snelson, a senior from Malaysia majoring in health and human science, grew up in a single-parent household with his mom and half-brother. Snelson’s mother is of Chinese heritage and converted to The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in 1999. “My mother raised us with very little—but she made sure we learned to serve, stay humble, and remember where we came from. Those lessons shaped everything that came after,” shares Snelson.
As someone who has lived his whole life as a member of the Church, Snelson always wanted to serve a mission. He would often go on ministering trips with the missionaries in his ward and learned as much as he could from their experiences. When he came of age, Snelson filled out his mission forms and waited for his call. “My mission call to Singapore—covering parts of my home country—felt disappointing at first. I didn’t want to serve where I already lived. But it turned out to be one of the most humbling experiences of my life,” shares Snelson. He took this as an opportunity to learn more about his country and his people's languages. As the mission went on, Snelson developed a newfound love for his country, Malaysia. He taught in places he’d never been before and came to love the people he served.
Coming to BYU–Hawaii
Snelson’s older brother graduated from BYU–Hawaii in 2020, which motivated him to attend school in Hawaii. Months after returning home from his mission, Snelson began dating his wife, Cynthia, who also planned to attend BYU–Hawaii. “My girlfriend—now my wife—Cynthia and I talked seriously about whether we saw a future together. When she said she also wanted to come to BYU–Hawaii, everything aligned,” shares Snelson.
Growing up in Malaysia, Daryl Snelson never saw himself attending college. When he arrived at BYU–Hawaii and saw the flag circle light up at night, it was an assurance that better things lay ahead. Sharing this new journey with his girlfriend allowed the couple to envision and prepare for their future together.
Among the programs available at BYU–Hawaii, Snelson chose health and human sciences as his major because he loved sports and fitness. “I never saw myself as someone who would be spending the rest of his life in a desk job. I was always very outdoorsy and could not keep still in the classroom, so a major that focused on fitness was something I could relate to,” he shares. Snelson was privileged to be taken under the tutelage of Dr. Nakachi and Dr. Kate, two professors whom he acknowledged for changing how he thought about health. They taught Snelson that weights aren’t just for looks, and nutrition isn’t just about dieting. Those classes helped him filter out the false health information he was used to and understand what real, science-based wellness is all about.
Marriage, Trials, and Growth
Life at BYU–Hawaii had many surprises for Snelson, but one that stood out was getting married to his girlfriend, Cynthia. They got married one year into their academic journey, which was frowned upon in their culture. Snelson shared that many believe one must have a good job and be financially secure before settling down or finding a wife. Despite that, Snelson prayed about his decision and then proposed. “Cynthia and I started with none of that. We rode the bus everywhere. Our engagement ring and wedding were simple. But being married pushed me to grow. My grades improved, my discipline increased, and I felt grounded in a way I never had before,” shares Snelson.
Married life also came with its own challenges. Snelson and his wife experienced a miscarriage; this tested their faith in ways they couldn’t explain. Surrounded by friends having kids, Snelson wondered why their path had to be different. But the temple, their covenants, and their commitment to each other brought them closer. “Five months ago, we found out we’re expecting again—due in April. That moment felt like the Lord saying, “I’m aware of you. Keep going,” he shares.
Discovering Strength and Moving Forward
During his time at BYU–Hawaii, Snelson explored every opportunity that crossed his path, participating in rugby, jiu-jitsu, the Malaysia Club, founding the Lifting Club, pro wrestling in Waimānalo, and academic research. He spent a year working with Dr. Reece and two classmates studying how YouTube entertainment could support sports education, eventually presenting their findings at a conference in South Korea. Academia was never part of his original plan, but he discovered that growth often comes from stepping into the unfamiliar.
That mindset later led to an unexpected opportunity: a job offer back in Malaysia. The full-time position had already been filled, but just weeks before his return home, the employee stepped down. The timing aligned perfectly with his move—and with a baby on the way. To Snelson, it wasn’t luck. As his mentor once told him, “Luck is when preparation meets opportunity.”
Snelson’s experience shaped a personal conviction: never underestimate your potential. “The human body and spirit can handle more than most people realize—just like a 150-pound lifter learning to squat 400 pounds. Real growth comes from pushing through discomfort, facing fear head-on, and trusting the Lord with the rest,” he shares.
His message to future BYU–Hawaii students is clear: don’t wait for perfect certainty before taking action. Try new things, prepare for opportunities before they arrive, and avoid boxing yourself in. With hard work, humility, and faith, he believes the Lord will meet students where they are—and take them further than they ever imagined.
